​Why are natural environments important to individuals and societies?

What is an ecosystem?​

An ecosystem is a community of living things that interact with each other and their non-living environment, and may be as large as a desert or as small as a puddle. All ecosystems require energy from an external source – this is usually the sun.

What is a biome?​

​Biomes are very large ecological areas on the earth’s surface, with fauna and flora (animals and plants) adapting to their environment. Biomes are often defined by abiotic factors such as climate, relief, geology, soils and vegetation. A biome is NOT an ecosystem, although in a way it can look like a massive ecosystem.

1. Read the definitions and copy them into your book using your own words where possible.

2. Research and define any new words, such as abiotic and relief.

3. Using the information on the diagram opposite, explain why tropical rain forests have the highest density of vegetation and deserts the least.

4. In groups of 2 or 3, ​create a presentation or info-graphic that describes and explains the processes of, and human impacts upon, a biome or ecosystem of your choice. This can be something as large as the marine environment of whole oceans or the specific ecosystem of an Alpine valley such as Lauterbrunnen.

Focus on the following sections:

Describe and explain the distribution of your chosen biome or ecosystem using an annotated (added information) map or maps.

Explain the relationship of natural vegetation, wildlife and climate in your biome or ecosystem.

Describe the impact of human activity on your biome or ecosystem.

An example using the Tundra biome shows you some ideas that you can include.

Tundra

Barren tundra lands are home to hardy flora and fauna and are one of the Earth's coldest, harshest biomes.Tundras are among Earth's coldest, harshest biomes. Tundra ecosystems are treeless regions found in the Arctic and on the tops of mountains, where the climate is cold and windy and rainfall is scant. Tundra lands are snow-covered for much of the year, until summer brings a burst of wildflowers.

​Tundra distribution globally.

PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN TUNDRAS

Mountain goats, sheep, marmots, and birds live in mountain–or alpine–tundra and feed on the low-lying plants and insects. Hardy flora like cushion plants survive on these mountain plains by growing in rock depressions, where it is warmer and they are sheltered from the wind.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON TUNDRAS

​The Arctic tundra is changing dramatically due to global warming. Animals that are typically found further south, like the red fox, are moving onto the tundra. The red fox is now competing with the Arctic fox for food and territory, and the long-term impact on the sensitive Arctic fox is unknown.

Assessment

You are to submit 3 photographs of the local La Cote area that show and highlight a particular ecological, environmental issue or problem. In particular, the images should show the contradiction between the natural and man-made environment, and the impacts, great or small, that human activity has upon the local environment.

On the face of it, we live in a relatively pristine, often rural environment, surrounded by high alpine peaks. As we know, if we look a little more closely, there are a great many human impacts at a range of scales and severities. Photographs are an excellent way to show and exemplar these issues.

By taking a range of photographs across the the next few weeks, from different locations, at different times of the day or night, and at a range of scales, you will have a bank of images from which to select the 3 most expressive or striking.

You must carefully note the locations of your images and the reasons that they are noteworthy from an ecological point of view as you will need to annotate your selected images so as to explain and justify their selection and the environmental issue being highlighted.

Your final 3 photographs, with explanatory text, need to be organised together and copied into your OneNote account in the Assessment section under the title Unit 2 Environments.

Below are some examples of contradictory environmental images and explanation of their meaning and context.

"Sunset over science", Belinda Bateman, UK.​“I believe this image captures my environment because it shows the new industrial and modern era whilst also portraying mother nature. The sunset represents the beauty of nature and this photo has no filters which shows that nature can be absolutely beautiful. However in the middle of this photo the wind turbines show the manmade and science side of our environment.”

​In early December 2015, storm Desmond crashed into the UK, producing the UK’s highest ever 24-hour rainfall total. It flooded the Lyth Valley in Cumbria, submerging many farms and houses.

​Photograph: Ashley Cooper

​​Slamet is a builder in Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. All construction work had stopped due rampant peat fires blanketing the region in a toxic smog. He casts his net into a polluted canal, hoping to make a catch. “Better a dirt fish than no fish at all!” he says.

Photograph: Björn Vaughn

‘Poser’, Luke Massey.

“Peregrines were extirpated in Illinois in the 1960's but in the 1980's a reintroduction programme began and now 22 pairs nest in Chicago alone,” he explains. “One pair have chosen a Chicagoan’s condo balcony as their nest site and in 2015 I followed them as they raised four chicks to fledging.” Described by naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham as an ‘exceptional young man’, Luke dedicates his photographic skills to drawing attention to the plight of wildlife under threat.'

‘Sand’, Pedram Yazdani

“The Salt Lake Urmia could be a symbol of what will happen soon to Iran – it is going to be dried out,” explains Yazdani. “The biggest salt lake in the Middle East, it now contains only 10% of the original amount of water, as a result both of climate change, and of dam and well construction.”

And finally...if you think school and education is all about essays and revision, think again.

​Andreas Gursky's Rhine II photograph sells for $4.3m

A sludgy image of the grey Rhine under grey skies, by the German artist Andreas Gursky, has sold for $4.3m (£2.7m) at a Christie's auction in New York, setting a new world record for a photograph.

The desolate featureless landscape shown in Rhine II is no accident: Gursky explained in an interview that it is his favourite picture: "It says a lot using the most minimal means … for me it is an allegorical picture about the meaning of life and how things are." In fact the artist carefully digitally removed any intrusive features – dog walkers, cyclists, a factory building – until it was bleak enough to satisfy him.

Christie's described it as "a dramatic and profound reflection on human existence and our relationship to nature on the cusp of the 21st century".

​Well, with around 20% commission on sales, they would, wouldn't they.

​Criterion C: Communicating i. communicate information and ideas in a way that is appropriate for the audience and purpose ii. structure information and ideas according to the task instructions iii. create a reference list and cite sources of information.

0 The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors below.

1–2 The student: i. communicates information and ideas in a way that is not always appropriate to the audience and purpose ii. organises information and ideas in a limited way iii. lists sources of information inconsistently.

3–4 The student: i. communicates information and ideas in a way that is somewhat appropriate to the audience and purpose ii. somewhat organises information and ideas iii. creates an adequate reference list and sometimes cites sources.

5–6 The student:i. communicates information and ideas in a way that is mostly appropriate to the audience and purpose ii. mostly structures information and ideas according to the task instructions iii. creates an adequate reference list and usually cites sources.

7–8 The student: i. communicates information and ideas in a way that is completely appropriate to the audience and purpose ii. structures information and ideas completely according to the task instructions iii. creates a complete reference list and always cites sources.